fiverr vs upwork
  • 2.6K views

Fiverr vs Upwork: Who Has the Best Freelancers?

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0

More than 59 million, or one-third of the US population participates in the “gig economy,” a revolutionary way of working that allows talented professionals to work on small projects and one-off assignments instead of full-time jobs.

While some perform gig work—driving for ride-sharing companies, delivering food, freelance writing, online tech support—as a part-time supplement, there are others that work in this economy full-time.

Online platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have dominated the gig work industry, connecting freelancers to businesses in a simple-to-use format.

There are a number of benefits to using an outsourced platform for freelance work, making them attractive to small business owners.

  • A transparent rating system means you know exactly what you’re going to get. You can review the freelancer’s past work, reviews and on-time performance.
  • An easy to use payment platform means that you don’t have to worry about the business side of things like invoices and accounts payable—just pay and order instantly
  • Simple dispute resolution. If you’re not happy with your project, there are steps that you can take to remedy the problem

Fiverr

Fiverr’s business model is quite simple.

Freelancers, or sellers, offer their services for the low price of $5 per job, or “gig.” The low cost makes it appealing to cash-strapped business owners or creatives who simply need a freelancer to complete simple tasks.

fiverr listings

The real profits come in, however, with the upgraded services that the freelancers offer. A seller might offer to create a simple logo for $5, but if you want customization, faster delivery or multiple formats, there are additional costs. In the end, the logo ends up costing about $30, which is still a deep discount over a traditional graphic designer.

Fiverr’s freelancers offer their services in a marketplace and you simply choose the one you want to work on your project. There are benefits and drawbacks to this, and many business owners find it challenging to search for the freelancer who can perform their exact task. Fiverr doesn’t offer a way for the business owner to simply post the job and invite freelancers to apply. Despite this, with more than 7 million users on the site, it is not hard to find one who can complete your project.

fiverr gig example backlinks

One of the big draws of Fiverr is the ability to search and sort for a freelancer based on a few key factors. You can sort by budget, location, quality rating and skill. This makes it easy for you to narrow down the right person for the job.

Communicating with your freelancer on Fiverr is easy. Once you have selected the talent to work on your job, you can use a simple messaging system to communicate the details of your project, share files and review documents. Fiverr’s freelancers are based all over the world, and the site handles time differences by displaying the current time in your freelancer’s location, making communication a breeze.

[button size=”medium” style=”primary” text=”TRY FIVERR FREE” link=”https://tylerbhorvath.com/recommends/fiverr-cpa/” target=”_blank”]

Fiverr’s Value

  • Allows for easy scalability
  • If you need a small job done, you can start there, adding on more as needed
  • Great for micro-gigs and small tasks
  • If you just want someone to edit a short video, perform some Web searches or manipulate an image, Fiverr is a simple and affordable solution
  • Lower costs mean that you can use the platform to test out multiple freelancers for a relatively low investment

Upwork

Founded in 2013, Upwork resulted in a merger between Elance and oDesk, two popular freelancer platforms.

I have personally made well over six figures with Upwork and would recommend it for any freelancer looking to make money online.

Upwork’s model differs from Fiverr’s in a few distinct ways, most notably the starting price point for freelance jobs. Freelancers set their own pricing on the site, charging hourly or flat rates for projects.

One of the most convenient features of Upwork is the ability to post jobs and allow freelancers to submit bids.

upwork talent

This makes it easy to compare pricing, availability, and skillsets without having to search through endless profiles to find the right freelancer.

Upwork also offers a variety of tools that make it convenient for small businesses

  • Skills tests that freelancers display on their profiles. Search by skill level to narrow down the pool of eligible workers
  • An easy to use messaging system that allows you to easily communicate with your freelancer, make updates and share files
  • An extensive review system means you don’t have to hire blind. See what other business owners have said about the freelancer
  • Payment protection plans mean that in the case of a dispute, you will have a representative to solve the problem

Upwork’s Scaling Features

Businesses often start with Upwork as a way to source quick talent, then later scale-up, hiring a freelancer on a full-time basis. It is an excellent way to test out the freelancer’s talents and skills before making a long-term commitment. For larger companies,

Upwork has introduced an Enterprise program that allows for volume pricing and the hiring of freelance teams to complete larger, long-term projects.

Upwork Payroll

Upwork Payroll is one of the best ways to easily classify your W2 employees and remain compliant with local and federal regulations.

Upwork Payroll offers a streamlined system of hiring, managing and paying employees, as well as takes care of the HR function when it comes to IRS compliance. Upwork Payroll also handles the management and administration of the Affordable Care Act mandates, notifying your team of their eligibility and getting them signed up for healthcare programs. Upwork Payroll also handles the payment of employee premiums, when applicable.

upwork milestones payments

Small businesses love Upwork Payroll because it allows them to test the waters with a few freelancers before bringing them onboard as regular employees. Companies save up to 40 percent of the costs of hiring through a staffing agency, and the Upwork platform allows managers to start their projects faster.

A business that has run a successful marketing campaign might use Upwork as a means to bring on a team of freelancers to quickly meet demand.

Upwork Enterprise

Microsoft and Airbnb are just two of the companies that have used Upwork Enterprise for their project needs.

Custom reporting dashboards allow managers to track billable hours, costs and workflow data to determine the best return on their staffing investment. Upwork Enterprise allows you to easily curate the right freelancers for the team, integrating with Upwork Payroll in order to correctly classify and pay your workers.

Companies that use Upwork Enterprise receive a dedicated account manager who can handle talent sourcing, team building and new project creation in order to help businesses reach their goals. With volume pricing and discounts,

Upwork Enterprise is an affordable hiring solution for companies both large and small.

Fiverr vs. Upwork: A Head to Head Comparison

Fiverr and Upwork offer similar products but use two distinctly different formats. As such, it is hard to compare the two in an apples-to-apples fashion, but there are some similarities when it comes to considering the two as viable sources of freelance talent.

Fiverr’s entire model is based on a one-off or small-scale “gigs.” Fiverr’s freelancers may be working for pennies, completing creative jobs for below-market rates. Because of this, Fiverr’s freelancers tend to work quickly, churning out “good enough” quality work that they can deliver quickly. Fiverr’s platform is great for creating “contests” in which companies can affordably test out freelancers’ skills before hiring them for larger projects. A company that wants a logo, for example, can hire 10 Fiverr freelancers for $10 each, spending only $100 to get a quality logo. Many companies prefer this to hire one freelancer and paying him $100 to design a logo that they may or may not like.

Fiverr’s freelancers are skilled, mainly because they work on volume. Fiverr’s rating system allows you to review their work, making an informed hiring decision. One major drawback of Fiverr is that, due to the low cost of the freelancers’ work, they may be swamped with other projects, working other full-time jobs or simply inactive. So you may hire a great freelancer for one project and never see him again on the site. There is high turnover on Fiverr.

Upwork’s model of allowing the freelancer to set their own pricing means that you get better quality work, but miss out on the cost savings at Fiverr. This may mean taking a chance on a freelancer that charges $100 an hour to design a logo, and facing dissatisfaction with your choice. Ultimately, this is where Upwork’s revision policy and dispute resolution services earn their salt.

In most cases, you can ask for the freelancer to make changes to the work until you’re satisfied.

Which site has the best freelancers?

Upwork, hands down. Because Upwork is geared toward longer-term, higher-cost jobs, it attracts freelancers who treat it as a full-time job instead of a one-off gig. The competitive nature of Upwork means that you get better talent for your job, and are more likely to be able to retain that talent long-term.

There are 12 million freelancers on Upwork and an average of three million jobs posted at any given time. This means you can create a bidding war, hand selecting only the best freelancers to compete for your project.

Fiverr takes the top spot, however, when it comes to certain types of projects. If your company is looking for projects that require a human touch—Web research, editing, or micro tasks, Fiverr is definitely the better choice. Fiverr’s freelancers tend to gravitate toward these types of jobs that they can perform quickly and move on. If you’re looking for more in-depth work that requires specialized skills, Upwork is the better bet.

Which site has the better work structure?

Upwork really functions more like a traditional remote employer than a freelancer flexible platform. Upwork has a high percentage of freelancers who work on an hourly basis, so it takes steps to ensure the client gets the most value from these hours. Upwork allows freelancers to opt into a monitoring system called “Work Diary” which monitors their hourly productivity.

The company software tracks keystrokes and clicks, takes screenshots of the freelancer’s screen (up to six per hour) and can activate their webcam to ensure they are working. This monitoring system means that the client can be assured that they are getting the full benefit of the funds they have paid per hour. If there is ever a dispute about the value of the freelancer’s work, Upwork uses this data to solve the dispute, and if necessary, pay the freelancer directly.

On Fiverr, since the gigs are paid by the job instead of the hour, there is no such monitoring included. You simply agree to the freelancer’s terms of completion and wait for your work to be delivered in that timeframe. Fiverr truly puts the control into the hands of the creative more than the client.

Which has the better vetting system?

Upwork takes the top spot here as well, as there is a rigorous screening required for new freelancers. Upwork even offers an expert-vetted option that is by invitation only.

The best freelancers on the site are invited to apply for this distinction, and earning the badge requires a series of interviews, skills tests, and portfolio items. Freelancers must demonstrate expertise in their field, a command of soft skills like communication and professionalism, and agree to regular reviews of their work.

upwork vetting system

Fiverr’s platform is open to any freelancer who signs up, and there is no in-depth vetting or skill requirement necessary. Businesses depend on reviews in order to make the right choice of freelancer—-a real problem when hiring talent that is new to the site. Because this represents a conundrum for the freelancer as well, they often offer their services at a lower price or offer more free add-ons in order to attract clients and start getting reviews. So hiring a new freelancer is often a good bet for a company on a budget.

Upwork’s freelancers are required to send a cover letter with each application, and only get a limited number of free applications per profile. After they have exhausted their free applications, they pay a small fee to buy a “bucket” of applications. This means you get freelancers who are serious about earning your business. They’re not simply mass applying to every job.

Which site has the better review system?

Upwork has a pretty elaborate review system that allows both clients and freelancers to review each other. The system is double-blind, meaning that one cannot read the other’s review until they have both submitted them. Clients are able to leave two types of feedback for the freelancer.

  1. Public: This type of feedback is visible to everyone on the platform, and helps clients make the right hiring choice.
  2. Private: This feedback goes directly to Upwork and helps them to improve and maintain quality control

This feedback is used to create a “Job Success Score” that is displayed on the freelancer’s profile. This score is based on the aggregate of the freelancer’s reviews, communication effectiveness and jobs completed on time.

You can see my Job Success score below from when I did Upwork and made six figures per year.

tyler horvath upwork

Fiverr’s rating system is a bit more streamlined, with both freelancer and client able to leave feedback for the other. Fiverr’s algorithm will display the highest scoring freelancers first, so the first page of results displayed is usually comprised of the best workers.

Bottom Line

When it comes to a determination of which platform is best, the answer is that it depends on your needs. Fiverr appeals to new startups, creatives on a budget and those who need one-off gigs or short projects. If you’re in the market for a long relationship with one freelancer who has specialized skills, Upwork is definitely the better option. Both platforms have robust communication platforms, in-depth review systems and customer service assistance.

Overall, we find Upwork to be the better deal for the investment when it comes to hiring the best quality freelancers online.

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

149 comments

  5. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  15. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  16. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  59. Официальный Telegram канал 1win Casinо. Казинo и ставки от 1вин. Фриспины, актуальное зеркало официального сайта 1 win. Регистрируйся в ван вин, соверши вход в один вин, получай бонус используя промокод и начните играть на реальные деньги.
    https://t.me/s/Official_1win_kanal/2801

  63. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  89. **aqua sculpt**

    aquasculpt is a premium metabolism-support supplement thoughtfully developed to help promote efficient fat utilization and steadier daily energy.

  90. **mounja boost official**

    MounjaBoost is a next-generation, plant-based supplement created to support metabolic activity, encourage natural fat utilization, and elevate daily energywithout extreme dieting or exhausting workout routines.

  91. **prodentim official website**

    ProDentim is a distinctive oral-care formula that pairs targeted probiotics with plant-based ingredients to encourage strong teeth, comfortable gums, and reliably fresh breath

  92. **men balance**

    MEN Balance Pro is a high-quality dietary supplement developed with research-informed support to help men maintain healthy prostate function.

  93. **prostafense reviews**

    ProstAfense is a premium, doctor-crafted supplement formulated to maintain optimal prostate function, enhance urinary performance, and support overall male wellness.

  94. **herpafend reviews**

    Herpafend is a natural wellness formula developed for individuals experiencing symptoms related to the herpes simplex virus. It is designed to help reduce the intensity and frequency of flare-ups while supporting the bodys immune defenses.

  95. **neuro sharp**

    Neuro Sharp is an advanced cognitive support formula designed to help you stay mentally sharp, focused, and confident throughout your day.

  96. **backbiome**

    Mitolyn is a carefully developed, plant-based formula created to help support metabolic efficiency and encourage healthy, lasting weight management.

  99. Honestly, swertewin is not bad, not amazing, just in middle ground. Nothing crazy original in the selection, but always available to have a bit of fun. Try swertewin for something easy.

  102. Pingback: what is zoloft
  103. Pingback: uti antibiotics online
  104. Pingback: clozaril medication
  106. Pingback: sildenafil citrate directions
  107. Pingback: cenforce 50 uses
  109. Pingback: vidalista 60 mg ervaringen
  112. Pingback: semaglutida tirzepatida ou liraglutida
  117. Pingback: acyclovir 400 mg images
  118. Pingback: bupropion sr brand name
  119. Pingback: minoxidil foam kirkland
  122. Pingback: terbinafine side effects explanation
  125. Pingback: terbinafine nail fungus evidence

  127. Glad the writer kept this short rather than padding it out, the points stand on their own without needing extra context, and a look at wavevoyager kept the same approach going, brevity is a sign of confidence in the substance and the team here clearly trusts their content to land without filler.

  128. Reading this in a relaxed evening setting was a small pleasure, and a stop at profitnexus extended the pleasant evening reading, content that fits the tone of relaxed time without becoming forgettable is what I look for in evening reading and this site has the right tone for that particular slot in my daily reading routine.

  129. Liked how the writer used real examples instead of theoretical ones to make the points stick, and a stop at claritycreatesadvantage added even more concrete examples, this is the kind of practical approach that respects readers who actually want to apply what they learn rather than just nodding along passively without doing anything useful.

  130. Now planning a longer reading session for the archives, and a stop at executionpathway confirmed the archives are worth that longer commitment, sites with archives I want to read deliberately rather than just sample are rare and this one has clearly earned that level of interest based on the consistency of what I have already read.

  131. Closed my email tab so I could read this without interruption, and a stop at claritycompass earned the same protected attention, when content is good enough to defend against the usual digital distractions you know it deserves better than the half attention most online reading gets in a typical busy day.

  132. Pingback: minoxidil regrowth timeline

  133. Generally I do not leave comments but this post merits a small note, and a stop at urbanriders extended that comment worthy quality, the urge to actively contribute to a sites community rather than passively consume from it is something specific content provokes and this site has provoked that engagement urge from me today.

  134. Felt like I was reading something written by someone who actually thinks about the topic rather than reciting it, and a look at ideaprogression reinforced that impression, the difference between recited content and considered content is huge and this site clearly belongs to the latter category which I appreciate as a careful reader looking for substance.

  135. Decided to read more before commenting and the more I read the more I wanted to say something, and a stop at forwardthinkingcore pushed that impulse further, when content provokes the urge to participate rather than just consume it is doing something quite specific and worth recognising clearly when it happens during reading.

  136. Glad to have another data point on a question I am still thinking through, and a look at urbanriders added two more, content that acknowledges its place in a wider conversation rather than pretending to settle the question alone is intellectually honest in a way that I wish was more common across the open web.

  137. A piece that read smoothly because the writer understood how readers actually move through prose, and a look at globalvoyager maintained the same reader awareness, writers who think about the reading experience as much as the writing experience produce better work and this site has clearly made that shift in editorial approach.

  138. Now adding this to a list of sites I want to see flourish, and a stop at ideasintomomentum reinforced that wish, the few sites I actively root for are sites that produce the kind of work I want more of in the world and this one has joined that small list based on what I have read so far.

  139. Honestly enjoyed not being sold anything for the entire duration of the post, and a look at actionwithstructure kept that pleasant absence going across more pages, content that exists for its own sake rather than as a funnel to a paid product is increasingly rare and worth supporting where I can find it.

  140. Liked that there was nothing performative about the writing, and a stop at ideasintoflow continued that genuine quality, performative writing tries to be witnessed rather than read and the difference between performance and substance is huge for the careful reader and this site has clearly chosen substance every time clearly.

  141. Will be sharing this with a couple of people who care about the topic, and a stop at intentionalmovementlab added more material worth passing along, the kind of site that is generous with quality content and does not make you jump through hoops to access it which is appreciated more than the team probably realises.

  142. Speaking from the perspective of a fairly demanding reader the writing here clears the bar consistently, and a look at personalvista continued clearing that bar, the calibration of demanding reader is something I apply to all sources and this site has been one of the few that handles the demanding reading well across pieces sampled.

  143. Thanks for the simple approach, too many sites bury the actual point under layers of unnecessary words, but here every line earns its place, and a look at actionpathway showed the same care for the reader which is something I will remember the next time I need answers on a topic.

  144. A piece that handled multiple complications without becoming confused, and a look at clarityfirstgrowth continued that organisational clarity, holding multiple threads in a single piece without losing any of them is a sign of skilled writing and this site has clearly developed the editorial discipline to manage complexity without sacrificing readability throughout.

  145. Decided not to comment because the post said what needed saying, and a stop at clarityactivatorhub continued that complete feel, content that does not invite obvious additions or corrections from readers is content that has been carefully considered and this site appears to consistently produce pieces that satisfy rather than provoke unnecessary follow ups.

  146. Genuinely well crafted writing, the kind that makes the topic look easier than it actually is, and a look at buildforwardlogic added even more depth, you can feel the experience behind every line which is something only writers who have been at this for a while can pull off with this level of grace.

  148. Reading this gave me the rare experience of fully agreeing with all the conclusions, and a stop at strategycreatesflow continued that agreement pattern, content that aligns with my existing views without seeming designed to do so is just content that happens to be reasonable and this site reads as reasonable rather than ideological mostly.

  149. Solid recommendation from me to anyone working in the area, the perspective here is grounded, and a look at dewchip adds even more useful angles, the kind of site that becomes a reference rather than just a one time read which is a higher bar than most blogs ever reach today on the modern web.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Get notified of the best deals on our WordPress themes.

You May Also Like